The best team of players aged 21-years-old or younger.
The cliche states that football is a young man’s game and so rather than thinking of 40 reasons why we love Ryan Giggs, here is the ultimate starting XI made up of the best youngsters in world football.
We’ve defined ‘young’ to mean aged 21-years-old or younger.
GK – Maxim Koval, Dynamo Kiev – 21-years-old
Finding a candidate between the sticks was a tough task as traditionally goalkeepers mature later as footballers and recent starlets such as Thibaut Courtois and Marc-Andre ter Stegen have now turned 22.
However, Dynamo’s Koval is earning himself a fine reputation in Ukraine currently and looks to be a future regular for club and country.
RB – Matthia De Sciglio, AC Milan – 21-years-old
Milan have often had extremely aging defenders over the years, so to see a fresh face such as that of De Sciglio’s is something of a refreshing surprise.
The full-back progressed from the youth system back in 2011 and since then has played 59 times for the club and earned nine caps for Italy.
LB – David Alaba, Bayern Munich – 21-years-old
Keeping Southampton’s Luke Shaw and Ricardo Rodriguez of Wolfsburg out of the team takes something special, but that is exactly what Alaba is.
The Austrian plays with such tenacity and maturity that it is easy to forget his age and the full-back looks set to continue improving.
CB – Raphael Varane, Real Madrid – 21-years-old
Signed from Lens by Jose Mourinho back in 2011, this France international is often preferred ahead of Madrid stalwarts Pepe and Sergio Ramos when fit.
With an assured touch and an eye for a pass Varane could well be the future of Los Blancos’ defence for years to come.
CB – Marquinhos, Paris Saint-Germain – 20-years-old
Alongside the Frenchman is a South American who at 19-years-old became the second most expensive defender of all time behind fellow Brazilian and new PSG teammate Thiago Silva, joining from AS Roma in a £30.1m switch.
It’s been a solid first year for Marquinhos at the Parc des Princes, but the centre-back will want to kick on next term.
CM – Paul Pogba, Juventus – 21-years-old
A little under two years ago Pogba was frustrated in Manchester United’s youth academy and yet now the midfielder has won successive Serie A titles and is a regular for club and country.
Juve have given the France international a stage to shine on and he has certainly taken that opportunity.
CM – Florian Thauvin, Olympique Marseille – 21-years-old
There is an abundance of young talent seemingly coming out of France currently as this is our third starlet from the country on the list.
Thauvin signed for Marseille from Ligue 1 competitors Lille last summer and had an impressive first year at the Stade Velodrome.
RM – Lucas Moura, Paris Saint-Germain – 21-years-old
PSG certainly aren’t scared to put their money where their mouth is when it comes to youth, as a whopping £37.5m was paid for Marquinhos’ fellow Brazil international Lucas.
The winger has perhaps not truly established himself as yet in the French capital, but there is plenty of time.
CAM – Mario Goetze, Bayern Munich – 21-years-old
Another expensive acquisition now as after impressing with Borussia Dortmund, Goetze completed the controversial £33m move to rivals Bayern last summer.
Pep Guardiola’s rotation policy has left the German frustrated at times, but he looks set to be an important figure for the club for years to come.
LM – Julian Draxler, Schalke o4 – 20-years-old
Sticking with Germany internationals and here is another who has been touted with some of the biggest sides in Europe for the reputation Draxler has earned at Schalke.
With 11 international caps and Champions League experience the attacker is something of an old head on young shoulders.
ST – Romelu Lukaku, Chelsea – 21-years-old
Bizarrely Lukaku can’t get a decent opportunity at Stamford Bridge despite having impressed wherever he’s played in his career to date.
During loan spells with West Bromwich Albion and Everton in the last two years the striker netted an impressive 32 Premier League goals.
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